Page 135 of Wicked Lord

“Micah, you’re out of your mind. You have no idea what you’re talking about.” I jabbed my finger into his chest. “Axel and I are over, and it has nothing to do with the fraternity so just drop it.”

The last thing Ax needed was someone else on his ass.

The rumble of an approaching engine sent my head swiveling toward the parking lot. I never thought I’d be relieved to see Brock’s driver in the Rolls Royce. Both Lexi and Cordelia’s gazes followed mine, and matching expressions of surprise flashed across their faces.

“I have to go. My ride’s here,” I mumbled before spinning away.

“Wait, Lore,” Lexi called out. “Wasn’t that the same car from a few months ago? And the guy who tried to force you into it?”

Shit. The elegant silver Rolls Royce wasn’t exactly commonplace.

“It was all a misunderstanding,” I called out over my shoulder, quickening my steps. I couldn’t believe I was making excuses for the abusive asshole now.

The car pulled up next to the sidewalk, and the driver got out, opening the back door. The older gentleman, dressed in all black, tipped his hat as I approached. I held my breath when I peeked into the back seat.

Empty. Thank God.

“Mr. Haversham will meet you at the country club,” said the driver. “He had a last-minute business meeting to attend to.”

“Great.” The less time I had to spend with him the better. As I crawled into the back seat, I could feel three pairs of inquisitive eyes following my every move.

Would Lexi tell Killian? Then Axel would be sure to find out Brock and I were official.

And he’d lose his fucking mind…

CHAPTER 55

THE PERFECT DISTRACTION

Axel

The tequila blazed a fiery trail down my throat, and I slammed the glass on the gleaming wood bar in one of the party rooms at the Sigma Delta house. Warmth filled my belly as more liquor entered my system, but it did nothing to dull the pain tearing my insides apart.

Lorelei had ripped out my fucking heart and stomped all over it.

When I reached for another shot, a hand with chipped black polish and a huge skull ring blocked me.

My eyes narrowed at Gage. “Back off, Van Horn. I’m not in the mood.”

He didn’t even flinch at my lethal tone. “Don’t you think you’ve had enough?”

A bitter laugh erupted from my mouth. “There’s not enough alcohol in the world to cure my ailments.”

“Then why bother?” Gage shrugged and slid the shot farther out of my reach as if I couldn’t just hop behind the bar and grab a whole bottle. “It won’t help.”

I rolled my eyes, muttering curses he couldn’t hear over the thumping music. “I’ll get more myself.”

As I stood, Gage seized my forearm and forced me back onto the stool.

“What happened with you and Lorelei?” he asked, still clutching my arm in a death grip.

“We broke up.” Pangs stabbed my chest at the mention of her name, but I kept my expression neutral. “Now let go of me before I kick your ass.”

Gage scoffed. “Just because you play football doesn’t mean you can take me, Vanderhart.”

I finally jerked my arm out of his grasp. “Football has nothing to do with my ability to knock you out.” Hell, in my current mental state, I could probably take anyone.

A dark shadow fell over my friend’s face.